Disturbing, powerful and emotionally devastating, Tears of Gaza is less a conventional documentary than a shocking record: of the 2008-2009 3-week bombing of Gaza by the Israeli military (backed by the U.S., using US-made weapons). Photographed by several Palestinian cameramen both during and after the offensive, this powerful film by Norwegian director Vibeke Løkkeberg focuses on the impact of the attacks on the civilian population. Similar events certainly occurred in Dresden, Tokyo, Baghdad and Sarajevo, but of course Gaza isn’t those places. Tears of Gaza demands that we examine the costs of war on a civilian populace. (Excerpted mostly from Steve Gravestock, 2011 Toronto International Film Festival)

Following the film is a panel discussion/update, with: Ziad Abbas -- MECA Associate Director, from Dheisheh Refugee Camp Iman Almaqousi -- former resident of Gaza Barbara Lubin -- MECA Director, brought aid to Gaza during the 2008-9 assault, as well as right after the November 2012 attack